Treo holds annual White Dinner Beach House Fundraiser

Sharon Rood-Barrow and husband Gregory were dressed in elegant summer white along with general manager Kaetlyn Obey and the rest of the staff and party-goers at the Treo White dinner.

Le Dîner en Blanc, a “White Dinner” to celebrate the summer solstice, by European tradition is a well-kept secret. Perhaps it is as well in Sylvania, as most residents were mystified when they approached the closed street with a large white tent outside Treo in Downtown Sylvania.See how they do it in Paris…

The elegant French tradition came to Sylvania on Tuesday, June 19, as Treo held its annual White Dinner Fundraiser for The Beach House Family Shelter.

The restaurant, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Maplewood Avenue, was closed for the night, and Maplewood Avenue was also closed off up to the alley. The summer solstice celebration’s silent auction tent was in the street.

Guests were welcomed in the white tent directly outside of Treo’s entrance with champagne and appetizers at 6:00. Dinner, inside Treo at 7:00, was four additional courses with French flavor that were paired with wonderful French white wines. After dinner guests returned outside for a live auction.

Sharon Rood-Barrow and husband Gregory donated a jewelry piece for the silent action, and also enjoyed the $75.00 a plate dinner.

“We support the Beach House because it focuses on people in this area,” explained Mr. Barrow. “We donate to national charities also, but really like to support those in need right here. We also like the fact that they keep families together.”

Kaetlyn Obey, general manager of Treo, said that the Sylvania restaurant feels strongly about supporting Beach House because it is one of the only places in the area that serves families while keeping them together. Other services for families that are homeless or in need of shelter split up the men, women and children, and do not allow them to stay under the same roof.

“It’s important to keep families together,” Mr. and Mrs. Barrow said in agreement with Ms. Obey. “That’s the main reason we like to support Beach House too.”

The Beach House Family Shelter has been helping area families since 1921, Treo began the annual White Dinner fundraiser in 2008.